He has played with every great trumpeter around, proving himself a brilliant, thrilling improviser.
When he attempts to provide a fresh perspective on the great trumpeter's music and mystique, however, the results can be downright silly.
The Allmusic review called the album "A bit of a disappointment... the big band is mostly heard from in a purely accompanying role behind the great trumpeter and little interplay occurs".
The 2011 London Jazz Festival hosts a special tribute to the great trumpeter and composer.
In 1965, Count Basie turned down a sheaf of arrangements written for him by Thad Jones, the great trumpeter, who was in his big band.
His definitive voice and performance mastery undoubtedly place him among the lineage of great lead trumpeters in the history of jazz music.
But he is one of the great trumpeters who arrived in the 1950's, somebody who helped define jazz in the 60's.
Yet this great trumpeter's work fit so well into the omnibus concept that it seemed ridiculous that the 23-year-old program was only now exploring it.
In addition, Rafael Méndez (referred to by Hill as "O'Mendez," a great "Irish" trumpeter) would have been six years old in 1912.
Later on it tells of how Dizzy became a great trumpeter and even the origin of his signature bent trumpet.